💧 Drowning Impact Awareness Month: Because Every Child Deserves to Be Safe

August is Drowning Impact Awareness Month (DIAM): a time to honor lives lost, educate our communities, and take action to protect our children.

For families of children with autism, the risk of drowning is heartbreakingly high. At EmPath for Autism, we believe awareness saves lives, and we’re here to help you learn, share, and lead the change.

Why This Matters

Drowning is fast. It’s silent. And it’s preventable.

For children with autism, it’s the leading cause of death. Many of our children are drawn to water but don’t yet understand the danger. Pair that with impulsivity, wandering, or limited communication, and the stakes become terrifyingly real.

According to the National Autism Association, 91% of accidental deaths among children with autism are due to drowning. This isn't just a statistic—it’s a call to action.

Five Ways We Can Prevent Drowning

1. Supervise With Purpose

Drowning often happens when no one expects a child to be in the water—and it’s not always in a pool. Bathtubs, buckets, even retention ponds can become hazards. The most powerful tool in prevention? Undivided attention.

Fact: 69% of children who drown weren’t expected to be in or near water.
📚 CDC Drowning Facts

Put down your phone. Be present. Rotate adults as designated “Water Watchers” to stay alert.

2. Protect With Barriers

We don’t let our kids wander into traffic—so why are so many water hazards completely unguarded?

Retention ponds, especially in neighborhoods and apartment complexes, are often unfenced and easily accessible. This is a tragedy waiting to happen.

Fact: Over 80% of children with autism who drowned had wandered from safety.
📚 National Autism Association Safety Resources

🖊️ Sign our petition to require fencing around dangerous retention ponds:
👉 https://chng.it/CpvvfxPDw9

3. Teach Water Safety Early

Learning to swim isn’t just fun—it’s survival. Research shows that formal swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by up to 88%.

And for our kids? Programs tailored for children with sensory sensitivities or communication differences can make all the difference.

Fact: Swim lessons reduce the risk of drowning by 88%.
📚 NIH Study on Swim Lessons

Ask your local YMCA or center if they offer inclusive or adaptive swim classes. Every child deserves the chance to learn.

4. Use the Right Life Jacket—Every Time

Inflatable arm bands and cute floaties? They’re not enough. Only U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets are built to protect in open water. And yes—they’re essential even if your child “knows how to swim.”

Fact: 86% of people who drowned while boating weren’t wearing life jackets.
📚 US Coast Guard Boating Safety

Check for the Coast Guard label, ensure the fit is snug, and buckle up every time.

5. Know the Signs—and Know What to Do

Drowning isn’t like in the movies. It’s not loud. It’s not splashy. It’s terrifyingly quiet.

Look for:
• Head low in water
• Gasping or silent mouth movement
• Arms out, vertical body position
• Glassy eyes or unresponsiveness

Fact: Drowning can happen just 10 feet away and go unnoticed.
📚 CDC - Drowning Prevention

If a child is pulled from the water: Call 911. Start CPR immediately. Take a course, watch a video, practice at home—because when seconds matter, preparation saves lives.

💙 Real Families. Real Loss. Real Action.

At EmPath, we’ve seen the unthinkable happen. We’ve held space for grieving families and fought to make sure their children’s stories lead to change.

This month, we’re asking our community to join us in protecting our most vulnerable.

Here’s how you can help:

🖊️ Sign our fencing petition: https://chng.it/CpvvfxPDw9
💙 Donate to support inclusive safety efforts: https://www.empathforautism.com/donate-now-1
🏷️ Get on the JagTag waitlist : https://www.empathforautism.com/jagtag-registration

🌊 Let’s Create a Safer World—Together

This isn’t just a campaign. It’s a mission rooted in love, heartbreak, and hope.

If one more child is protected...
If one more parent learns what to do...
If one more community demands fences, classes, and inclusion...

Then this month is a success.

Drowning is preventable. And prevention starts with you.